Suipi FAQ

Quick answers to the most common questions about Suipi — the Samoan card game — and the Play Suipi app. Need the full rules instead? Start with our How to Play Suipi tutorial.

About the game

What is Suipi?

Suipi is a Samoan card game where players match, add, and group cards on the floor to capture them into a points pile. It's traditionally played with a standard 52-card deck between two players, and the player with the most points across two rounds wins.

Where does Suipi come from?

Suipi is a Samoan card gamewith deep roots in Pacific Islander households. It spread through the Samoan diaspora to New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii, and the mainland United States, where it's played around kitchen tables, at family gatherings, and during long nights with cousins. Read the full backstory on our History of Suipi page.

Is Suipi the same as Casino?

Suipi is a relative of Casino — both belong to the same fishing-style card-game family — but they're not identical. Suipi has its own scoring, its own build mechanic, and a uniquely Samoan cultural identity. We break down the exact differences on Suipi vs Casino.

Rules and gameplay

How many players can play Suipi?

Suipi is played with two players in its classic form. The Play Suipi app supports one-on-one matches against another person online or against the computer.

What moves can I make on my turn?

Each turn you play exactly one card from your hand and choose one of four moves:

• Match — pair a hand card with a floor card of the same value and capture both.
• Add — combine floor cards that add up to the value of a card in your hand, then capture them.
• Group — combine floor cards of the same value into one pile, then capture.
• Discard — drop a card to the floor when you have no good play.

Full breakdown with examples: What Moves Can You Do in Suipi?

What is a Suipi?

A Suipi is a bonus point you earn whenever you clear the floor completely on your turn. Suipi points are awarded on top of the standard 11-point game, so a great clearing run can take your final score well above 11. See How to Earn a Suipi for the full explanation.

How do you win at Suipi?

Each game is worth 11 base points. Win conditions are based on the final score, which combines two games (each player deals once). The player with the highest combined score across both games wins the match.

How is Suipi scored?

The 11 base points are awarded as follows:

• 10 of Diamonds — 2 points
• 2 of Spades — 1 point
• Aces — 1 point each (4 aces = 4 points)
• Most Spades — 1 point
• Most Cards — 3 points

Suipi bonus points are added on top. Full guide: How to Score a Suipi Game.

How long does a Suipi game take?

A two-game match typically takes 8–15 minutes in the app, depending on pace.

The Play Suipi app

Is Play Suipi free?

Yes. Play Suipi is free to download and free to play. There are no in-app purchases required to play any mode, and no gambling mechanics.

Can I play Suipi online?

Yes. You can play instantly in your browser at app.playsuipi.com, or download the app on iOS for the full multiplayer experience.

What devices does Play Suipi work on?

Play Suipi runs on iOS, Android (currently in testing), macOS, Windows, Linux, and the web. The web app is the fastest way to try it without downloading anything.

Is Play Suipi family-friendly?

Yes. Play Suipi is rated 4+ in the App Store — no gambling, no chip economies, no real-money stakes. Just the card game.

Can kids play Suipi?

Absolutely. Suipi has been a family game in Samoan households for generations. The app is designed to be safe for children with no in-app purchases or chat-based exploits.

How do I get better at Suipi?

Read the rules, play a few games against the computer, then jump online. When you're ready, dive into our Suipi Strategy Guide for tips on saving aces, hunting the 10 of Diamonds, and chasing Suipi bonuses.

I have more questions — how do I reach you?

Email us at playsuipi@gmail.com. We read everything.